October 26, 2009

HOW LONG DOES KENNEL COUGH LAST | AND SOME HOME REMEDIES

Author: Maral Heggemeier
How long does kennel cough last can be answered fairly simply. First if it is a mild case then it could be 1-2 weeks. If more severe it can take longer and can also take longer if the dog is older or has other underlying health conditions. Also kennel cough can turn into pneumonia and need treatment from the vet. Let’s take a quick look at what kennel cough is, the symptoms, and some treatment options if the case is mild which most cases are. If you like the home remedies listed then click on the links at the bottom of the page for additional great home remedies for a variety of ailments and illnesses our pets get.
WHAT IS KENNEL COUGH
Think of kennel cough as being like a cold or flu in humans. This respiratory infection in our pets is caused by bacteria and viruses. Here are the bacteria and viruses that cause kennel cough.
  • Bordetella Bronchiseptica – This bacteria is thought to be the main culprit in causing kennel cough.
  • Canine Parainfluuenza -3 – This is the same virus that causes distemper in dogs.
  • Canine Adenovirus Type 2 – This virus causes colds in dogs.
Many kennels require you to have your pet vaccinated prior to boarding your pets as kennel cough is a highly contagious illness that is spread just like colds and flu are spread in humans. This vaccination is referred to as the Bordetella vaccine. Some pet owners do not want to vaccinate so often and have reduced exposure to other dogs and cats to cut down on the chances of their pets getting kennel cough.
SYMPTOMS OF KENNEL COUGH ARE:
  • Dry harsh cough
  • Gagging and/or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
MORE SEVERE SYMPTOMS ARE:
  • Nasal discharge
  • Fever
  • Cough that produces phlegm
  • Depression
  • Green mucus
If your dog or cat has developed coughing with green mucus then take it to your vet right away.
KENNEL COUGH HOME REMEDIES:
  • Pediatric robitussen is being used for puppies to help soothe throat tissues that have become sore due to the inflammation of the throat that occurs from the infection. Just like we would do for our children cough syrups are being used on pets.
  • Honey is being used not only to soothe the throat but also for the antiseptic benefits of the honey. The amount that is being reported used is 1 teaspoon of honey given three times a day. Other people are having trouble getting the dog to take straight honey are mixing it in water and giving a few drops directly into your pet’s mouth every hour or so.
  • Peppermint tea is being given at a rate of two drops per hour until the coughing stops. The tea can be made out of peppermint leaves and water.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) is being used not only to disinfect the water bowls but also to put into the drinking water. In this case 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide (3%) is being mixed into 8 ounces of water along with two teaspoons of honey.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) as a tooth brushing solution. This solution is being used at a rate of 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide (3%) into 4 ounces of water and then using the solution with a tooth brush to brush the dog’s teeth. This is reported to stop the coughing and repeated when the cough comes back. Slow gentle brushing is the technique with this one.
  • Certain herbal remedies are also being used to expel mucus. One is plantango lanceolata .
  • Another herbal remedy being used to clear mucus is Bryonia C6 which is also reported to be able to soothe sore throat tissues.
  • Yerba Santa is being used to help out with phlegm. This is being used in making a strong tea and then giving a few drops in water to your dog every hour or so. Some report using 15-25 drops in to an ounce of distilled water and then giving this to your dog every hour or more until the coughing stops.
  • Wild Cherry Bark as a tea. Again make a tea out of this and give a few drops with water to your dog every hour or so until the coughing stops.
There is no need in this tough economy to spend a fortune on commercial products to treat our pets when you can treat your pets at home and save big dollars in the process. Read on through the last paragraph and click on the links to find out how.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-long-does-kennel-cough-last-and-some-home-remedies-1382784.html
About the Author
Are you making any of the classic pet treatment mistakes which will cause you to miss out on answers to questions like how long does kennel cough last? I hate to admit it but I have made most if not all of them myself. Find out what they are and how to avoid them by visiting http://www.natural-and-herbal-dog-remedies.com right now before you do any serious harm to your pet. They are a member of the family also.

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